Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

Swollen lymph nodes everywhere but it's not cancer? What?!

I got a biopsy done on my groin and the results came out as "reactive" (not cancer). I'm still concerned though because I have swollen lymph nodes all over my body. I have about 5 swollen lymph nodes around my neck, about 4-6 swollen lymph nodes on my groin area, a few more on my inner thigh, collar bone, and one on my left shoulder. The doctor said that my blood work came out fine and that it's just my eczema that is causing all of these swollen lymph nodes. I just still can't believe that eczema can cause all of these swollen lymph nodes. I've had eczema since I was little and through out my life, I never had a problem like this. The lymph nodes do not hurt, they are just hard. I do not have a fever or sore throat, I have just been really really tired lately. I have been extremely itchy every single day since Novemeber 2010. Benadryl doesn't work, it just puts me to sleep, and by the time I wake up, I'm itchy again. I tried steroid creams and ointments. They work temporarily but once I stop using them, the itchy rash comes back. I tried oral corticosteroids as well, but nothing. My skin is really really thin now from all of that. Regular creams and ointments help moisturize but does not stop the itch. The right side of my rib also hurt when I lay on my right side. Is there anything else I can possibly do to find out what is really causing all of these swollen lymph nodes??

2 Replies:

Hi, can you get your Dr to have your biopsy tested for Sarcoidosis? Obviously I am not a Dr & can't tell you what your problem is but it would definitely be worth checking, symptoms sound very familiar to me & even your eczema could be Sarcoid? Definitely worth looking into but for your sake I really hope it's not, good luck, Cher

I got a biopsy done on my groin and the results came out as "reactive" (not cancer). I'm still concerned though because I have swollen lymph nodes all over my body. I have about 5 swollen lymph nodes around my neck, about 4-6 swollen lymph nodes on my groin area, a few more on my inner thigh, collar bone, and one on my left shoulder. The doctor said that my blood work came out fine and that it's just my eczema that is causing all of these swollen lymph nodes. I just still can't believe that eczema can cause all of these swollen lymph nodes. I've had eczema since I was little and through out my life, I never had a problem like this. The lymph nodes do not hurt, they are just hard. I do not have a fever or sore throat, I have just been really really tired lately. I have been extremely itchy every single day since Novemeber 2010. Benadryl doesn't work, it just puts me to sleep, and by the time I wake up, I'm itchy again. I tried steroid creams and ointments. They work temporarily but once I stop using them, the itchy rash comes back. I tried oral corticosteroids as well, but nothing. My skin is really really thin now from all of that. Regular creams and ointments help moisturize but does not stop the itch. The right side of my rib also hurt when I lay on my right side. Is there anything else I can possibly do to find out what is really causing all of these swollen lymph nodes??My daughter had a very similar experience. She had Cat Scratch Fever. You could ask you doctor to test you for it if you have been scratched by a cat within the last year. Especially a kitten.